Since 1860, (following similar work on Essex Bridge - now Grattan Bridge), to improve the streetscape and relieve traffic congestion on the bridge, it was intended to widen Carlisle Bridge to bring it to the same width as 70 metres (230 ft) wide Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street) which formed the north side carriageway connection to the Bridge.[2] In 1877-1880 the bridge was reconstructed. As can be seen on orthophotography [3] it spans now 45 m of the Liffey and is about 50 m wide. O'Connell Bridge is said to be unique in Europe as the only traffic bridge wider than it is long.[citation needed]

When the bridge was reopened c.1882 it was renamed for Daniel O'Connell when the statue in his honour was unveiled.

In recent years, the lamps that graced the central island have been restored to their five lantern glory. In 2004, a pair of pranksters installed a plaque on the bridge dedicated to Father Pat Noise, which remained unnoticed until May 2006,[4] and is still there as of April 2013.

Arthur Fields took more than 182,000 photographs of pedestrians on the bridge from the 1930s to the 1980s.[5]

Carlisle Bridge, c. 1870s

Notes[edit]

There are actually two O'Connell bridges in Dublin. The other spans the pond in St. Stephen's Green.